People often say that you have to learn from the consequences of your actions through the things that you will face in the real world. Pero ako, I don't know. I don't find the adult world as punishing and messed up kagaya ng mga sinasabi nila, pero depende din kasi talaga sa personal experiences and situation ng tao.

For me, I always remind myself to look at the good side of things because even if negativity does not derail you it is still a waste of time and energy to fend it off.

I have written so many good memories on my journal, but now I think it is time that I write about our lives after college and the changes that made our bond much stronger.

Two Years Later...

In our three-year relationship we have gained experiences that mostly had positive effects on us. We realized that the romantic feeling may fleet but it is the partnership that will make everything work out. Yes there are bumps along the way but we always get through it together.

When Rina moved in to my place our main reason was, we simply wanted to live together as a couple. At first we were so thrilled and we thought that it was going to be easy because we have done it before, but the truth is it was totally different. Living in the same place means you are going to notice each other's behavior and pet peeves every single day.

We did so many personal adjustments in the beginning and we considered a LOT of things before everything went smoothly. I think the biggest lesson we've learned from moving in together is that, we always have to communicate and be on the same page for us to make co-habitating work.

Winter Kim:   andito ako sa tapat naka hazzard lang ako hindi ako nakapag park paki bilis

Giant Baby:   it's because your car doesnt have sticker, okay i'll be down in a minute

Winter Kim:   yeah nakalimutan ko hintayin nalang kita dito dalian mo na baka magka ticket ako

Giant Baby:   i said i'll be down in a minute maghintay ka naman

Winter Kim:   sinasabi ko lang

It's been a month since the day I graduated. So technically mahigit isang buwan na din akong jobless, well not really kasi I've been accepting freelance drafting and 3D modeling jobs habang hindi pa ako nakakakita ng work na gusto ko.

Personal driver ulit muna ako ngayon ni Karina. During school break nung third and fourth year college ganito yung madalas na ginagawa namin, hinahatid sundo ko siya from work. Pero during school days, may times na siya yung nag susundo sakin after class tapos sabay kaming umuuwi or sometimes nag ddinner muna kami sa labas.

"Hi my snail puppy, what's up bakit ang init ng ulo mo?"

"Hey baby sorry, sinisita kasi ako kanina pa, nakakairita." Hinakawan ko yung muka niya, I softly caressed her cheek with my hand and I leaned forward to kiss her lips. "How are you?" She asked me while she was buckling her seat belt. "I'm okay babe, ang aga ko umalis para hindi ako ma-stuck sa traffic."

"Pup I know why you're very keen on driving me to work." Nung naka settle na si Karina sa shotgun seat nag drive na din ako kagad dahil kanina pa ako pinapaalis nung traffic enforcer.

"I'm sorry what were you saying babe?"

"I said I know the reason kung bakit ang sipag mo mag drive."

"Ah haha okay, sige bakit?"

"I'm sure it's because of your new car, you really like it kaya you always drive me to work."

"Hmm yeah that's true gusto ko talaga to eh, dba ito yung lagi ko sinasabi sayo tapos we have an agreement na bibilin natin after two years."

"Yeah we even started a fund for this."

"Kaya nga halos mag collapse ako nung snurprise ako ni mommy and ate sa garage. Muka akong gago baby kung nakita mo lang."

"Hahahaha sayang nga I wasn't there to see your reaction but Pup, you truly deserve it."

"You think so?"

"Yes! Are you kidding me, you got first place outstanding thesis, muntik ka na maging thesis of the year. Kaya sobrang proud ako nung graduation mo."

"Oo nga grabe nasulit lahat ng sleepless nights ko, kulang nalang iinject ko na sa veins ko yung caffeine these past few months."

"I'm so proud of you, you were amazing especially during the defense I will forever be in awe."

"Aww thank you my giant baby."

I remember yung nangyari during my thesis months ago, nung mag sstart na nagulat ako na dumating bigla si Karina. She was present during the defense and nanood talaga siya. I was moved by the simple gesture kasi hindi ko inexpect na makakapunta siya at nag leave pa siya from work.

Her presence alone made me more confident tsaka mas lumakas yung loob ko nun. We were so happy nung natapos na ako with the panel, because my thesis turned out to be even better than I expected.

"But it's just so funny na ang sipag mo mag drive ngayon."

"Dba ito naman talaga yung ginagawa ko pag wala akong pasok, kahit naman dati hinahatid and sinusundo kita."

"Yeah pero ngayon I noticed parang gusto mo araw araw. Mag grab driver ka na kaya Pup?"

"Hahaha uhm yeah pwede din, pero dapat may extra charge kasi Levante to eh."

"Hahaha no, I want you to be my personal grab driver, you are exclusive only for me. By the way are you ready for the weekend?"

"Yes I am, naayos ko na gamit natin."

"Isang bag nalang tayo? Mind if I check later?"

"Sure check mo nalang baka may gusto ka pa dalin na clothes or what. Isang bag nalang ginamit ko kasi two days lang naman tayo sa Quezon."

"We're leaving tomorrow night, but we still have a lot of things to do. Pano yung groceries for the next two weeks and we need to do general cleaning."

This is one of the rules, hindi pala rule it's more of an agreement. Nung nag move in si Karina two years ago ito yung mga unang una na pinag usapan namin, kung pano namin ihhandle yung household chores and the other important aspect, financial. It's a good thing na nung umpisa palang na-settle na kagad namin yun because we are aware that these things could trigger major arguments in our relationship.

"Pagod ka na nga eh, tomorrow is Friday dba, tapos sa office ka manggagaling pag umalis tayo. Sa monday ako na maglilinis sa condo promise." 

"Monday nanaman and then may makikita nanaman ako na receipt ng cleaning service. Pup I told you that we can do it on our own and ayaw ko nag hhire ng cleaners online, we don't have time to secure our stuff tapos may papasok na ibang tao."

"Oo nga once lang naman yun, tsaka busy lang ako that time."

"Alright monday, I'll find out naman kung nag linis ka talaga or hindi."

"Okay my baby, kakain ba tayo ngayon sa labas or sa condo na?"

"Sa condo nalang, Pup my workmates were looking for you."

"Really? Parang ang tagal ko na kasi sila hindi nakikita. Sa mga susunod na dinner nalang, tsaka I want you to enjoy your time with them."

"I actually did. May ikkwento pala ako but I cannot remember it."

"Hahaha you must be hungry, isipin mo muna kung ano yun. Malapit na din tayo sa condo." 

Ano ano nga ba yung mga nagbago nung nag start na kaming magsama ni Karina, the first one at pinaka obvious sa lahat is yung condo ko. Kung dati unang pasok palang halata kagad na student yung nakatira dahil wala masyadong laman at sobrang minimalist yung design, ngayon iba na. Mas naging homey and cozy na because we had it redecorated, siyempre may say na din si Rina kaya nag meet kami halfway sa naging interior design and kami mismo yung nag ayos ng mga gamit.

Second, with the way we spend. Kung dati nakakabili ako ng surfboard anytime I want kahit hindi ko naman kailangan, ngayon I always weigh things na before ako gumastos. Ganun din si Rina, parehas na kami natuto maging frugal. We have a strict budget to follow, inuuna namin yung mga basic necessities, we have our own separate savings, we created an emergency fund and siyempre ito yung hindi mawawala, yung luxe fund na dapat pang bili namin ng kotse at ng kung ano ano pa.

Third, hindi na kami sobrang clingy. There's always a separate "me time" so that we won't lose our sense of individuality. Hindi dahil nasa iisang bahay na kami, kailangan na namin magkadikit at magkausap parati. That's not how it works, we give time to be away from each other. She can go out with her friends and I can go out with mine at hinding hindi nawawala yung trust.

About our friends, nagkikita kita pa din kaming lahat and we go out to dinner or brunch although hindi na ganun kadalas kasi busy na yung iba and most of the time Yuna, Lia and Yuqi are away for a business trip. Mahirap na kaming makumpleto ngayon but our relationship didn't change at all, we're still close.

Fourth, hindi na kami atat na atat sa . Of course it's just normal that we sleep together pero hindi na katulad dati na parang minsan twice or thrice a week, tsaka yung nangyayari nung first year namin as girlfriends na konting touch lang mamaya wala na kaming clothes. It's not like that anymore and we are over that stage. I can say na nag mature na kami when it comes to that aspect.

Fifth, hindi na sobrang selosa si Karina and I stopped doing stupid things na. Hindi na kami masyado nagaaway tungkol sa mga mabababaw na bagay. Nagpipikunan pa din kaming dalawa pero hindi na yung katulad dati na naiinis and napaparanoid siya na lagi ako may gagawing kalokohan. Although yung away namin nag level up. Pikunin yung baby ko ever since, kaya ngayon na three years na kami, when we have major fights naghihiwalay nalang kami ng kwarto or we give time to cool down para walang gulo. There are times na pinag uusapan din namin kagad at hindi na pinapatagal pa.

Sa totoo lang I'm really happy with how we are growing as a couple, sa tingin ko naman we're still on the right track.

Pati sa kitchen and food, there was a restart nung nag move in siya. Nung parehas pa kaming nag aaral nagluluto na din siya pero masyado kasi kaming busy dati kaya yung meals namin sobrang mga easy cook lang or nag ttake out lang kami. Nung magkasama na kami as much as possible we're trying to eat healthy and lahat naging shared na, like yung pag prepare ng food and yung ways ng pag oorganize sa kitchen. Si Rina bahala kung pano yung ayos ng mga gamit, groceries and yung mga stocks ng food tapos tinutulungan ko nalang siya.

When it comes to cooking, siya pa din yung in charge although yung ginagawa niya, naka prepare na yung meals namin for one week tapos lulutuin nalang pag kakain na kami. Most of the time ako lang mag isa sa condo dahil nasa work siya, so pag ganun ang ginagawa ni Rina, tinuturo nalang niya sakin kung pano yung luto na gagawin.

"Pup how's the job search going?"

"Okay naman, nakakailan interviews na ko pero ayaw ko talaga nung offer."

"Why? I told you, you cannot be too choosy."

"But babe ayaw ko ng mga companies dito, pag may tumawag kahit isa dun sa five choices na gusto ko, yun na talaga." 

"What's wrong ba?"

"Dba sabi ko nga sayo pag kasi yung mga Architectural firms dito gagawin lang akong tga drawing nun, walang kwenta kasi I won't learn from it, ang cheap pa ng pay mas malaki pa kinikita ko sa freelance jobs. Pag wala dun sa five choices ko, mas gusto ko pa na sa construction nalang at least makakapag site ako."

"Okay just be patient, dadating din yan, but it's good that you know what you like."

"Yeah, tsaka okay pa naman yun ginagawa ko ngayon."

"When you're working in a company na, are you gonna quit your sideline?"

"No, tuloy pa din, pati yung sa stocks."

"Kakayanin mo? Pup baka you can't handle it. Ayaw ko mapagod and mastress ka."

"Oo yan, para nga mas mabilis ako makapag save eh tapos mag bboard na ko so I can start my own."

"I like that you're very clear with your plans and I trust that you can do it, but you have to be careful." 

"Yeah, don't worry babe kaya nga hindi ako basta basta pumapayag sa offer."

"You know what, we are very lucky that we have the freedom to decline and choose the jobs we like."

"That's true, madami hindi ganito yung situation and I'm aware of that."

"Pup if you have a job na, does it mean that my sugar mommy era is done?"

"Hahaha what?! Sugar mommy ba kita?" 

"Hahahahaha I'm kidding, kumain ka na nga."

"Hindi nga ako nagpapabili sayo babe eh, you don't even buy me stuff."

"Really I don't?"

"You give me gifts pero hindi ako nagpapabili sayo noh. Kung alam ko lang na sugar mommy kita dapat pala nagpabili ako nung nag aaral pa ko. Sayang, bakit kasi ngayon mo lang sinabi?"

"Hahahahaha you still have time to do that naman."

"Hahaha no thanks baby, I can buy on my own."

"Hahahaha I know. Hurry up and let's finish eating, I want to cuddle na."

"Cuddle, gusto mo lang ng massage eh."

"Please?"

"Sige later before we sleep. Natransfer ko na pala yung sa dues and utilities kahapon pa."

"Okay na Pup nabayaran ko na."

It's already 5pm at ang lakas ng ulan ngayon. Susunduin lang namin si Rina from work tapos magbbiyahe na kami papunta sa Quezon. Nag invite si mommy sa farm and we will be spending the weekend there kasama si ate Taeyeon. Sila ate Seulgi hindi makakasama kasi parehas silang busy sa work kaya babawi nalang daw sila next time ni ate Irene.

Winter Kim:   baby we're almost there daanan ka namin dyan sa drop-off

Giant Baby:   you're not driving?

Winter Kim:   yeah baka antukin ako eh tsaka madaling araw na tayo makakarating

Giant Baby:   okay pup see you

Ako dapat ang mag ddrive samin pero nagbago isip ko last minute kasi laging umuulan ngayon at sigurado gagabihin kami. Nag decide ako na yung bagong kotse nalang yung gagamitin namin papunta sa Quezon, tsaka nagpatulong na din ako sa driver namin para mabreak-in ng tama yung sasakyan.

Medyo malakas ang ulan ngayon kaya hindi na ako bumaba. "Baby nabasa ka?" Tanong ko kay Rina habang pumapasok na siya sa kotse at pinapayungan siya nung driver. "No, I'm okay." 

"Akin na yung bag mo ilagay natin sa likod, get your phone and airpods."

"I don't wanna use my airpods Pup. I want to talk to you, I miss you."

"I miss you too, grabe sobrang busy mo today. Tanggalin mo muna yung blazer mo dinalan kita ng hoodie pati pillows para comfortable ka."

"Thank you, you haven't changed talaga you're still the sweet snail puppy that I love so much."

"Hahaha bakit ang sweet mo ngayon baby?"

"Im just saying and totoo naman eh you're still the same, you always take good care of me."

"Ganun talaga tsaka bakit naman ako magbabago?"

"Wala lang, we've been together for three years and yet you're still the same"

"Ikaw din naman eh."

"and I just wanna remind you that I love you, am I not allowed?"